SAHARA REPORTERS: Your Yellow-Journalism Won’t Work Against CGC Adeniyi; Better Trade Positivity So You May Earn People’s Trust

Literally, people venture into businesses to make a profit – thus, anything otherwise is considered a loss…and a loss is not ‘only’ when no take–home pay or surplus is not recorded, but also when the ethical purpose of the business is not being met.

In journalism, Sahara Reporters, the most controversial medium known for their villaineous nefarious attitude of ‘give me a penny to paint Peter black,’ has unreservedly derailed them from the principles of reportage. They have been exposed and discredited for their yellow journalism, which has resulted in terming them as a source of falsification and noise. Or, if you like, the Sowore’s dogs!

In all honesty, when it comes to connecting to a source or getting to know who says what, I find it both perplexing and provoking to hear that people still get glued to what is clearly believed to be a work of tabloid journalism. Although in most cases we all must believe that negative news usually fly higher than the good ones – but personally, the stars in my eyes still twinkle with the conviction that the time for believing in derogatory assertions against individuals is over.

Because, the emergence of various sources of knowledge has made people wise enough to understand the motives of every evil-minded person or institution that thrives on spreading false and sensational stories to stir up discord and create disunity – or at most, hatred. I am pretty sure that Sahara Reporters decided to pick up their pen to write about the Comptroller–General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, with the same motive – smuggling detestation into the hearts of well–meaning citizens.

However, this same ‘corrupt’ medium seemed to have forgotten that no sensible or level-headed person in the entire world will ever believe them. This is because their envy is triggered when they realize that someone somewhere is making positive moves that make people proud. Just the way CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi makes Nigerians proud! E det pain dem!

Clearly, Sahara Reporters are so consumed by ‘black’ jealousy that they can not acknowledge or appreciate the good works of others. Instead, they resort to spreading falsehoods and misinformation to distract individuals and bring them down. Thank God, CGC Bashir Adeniyi is such a strong, ‘steel-boned’ hero who never gets distracted by noise when it comes to serving Nigeria – and you will never record any success in any planned evil business against him!

Sowore’s dogs’ biased reporting and unethical journalism are a disservice to the profession, and their actions alserve as trivial and definitive evidence to their true character… because they either attack people’s persona, religion, or tribe. They are doing this consistently – and for that reason, people are losing hope in them consistently, too.

At a time when productive writers devote their craftsmanship to nurturing their nations, diligently disseminating positive content and information that assist in building their lands’ economies as well uncovering opportunities for their youth, you instead opt to hide behind the veil of your keyboard, trading baseless allegations against a selfless individual who sacrifices his comfort and time in the pursuit of supporting his principal, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to ensure a greater and prosperous Nigeria.

This remarkable individual’s track record and unwavering commitment being a professional Customs officer remain ‘utterly’ unblemished and pure; his unshakeable honesty and integrity – and amongst hundreds of thousands of these reasons, I shall always assume the role of a knight, determined to fight mute the cacophony of your derogatory drumbeat against his person – which is, by extension, a fight to protect the unity and sovereignty of Nigeria.

For the record, CGC Bashir Adeniyi stands as one of the most celebrated and esteemed CGCs, his appointment as Comptroller–General of Customs by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR, a resounding endorsement of his exceptional professionalism and unwavering trustworthiness – two good qualities that have consistently defined his character, a shining productive citizen that has never once faltered in its adherence to the rules and regulations that govern our great nation, Nigeria. The country that Sahara Reporters’ sponsors hate seeing as one united country.

It is unfortunate that your eyes can not see the significant developments that CGC Adeniyi has brought to the Service since his assumption of office in 2023. In case you will pretend to, once in a blue moon, be of good character, the developments he brought are in the areas of trade facilitation, suppression of smuggling, staff welfare, work efficiency through training and retraining of staff at all levels, promotions, and revenue generation.

All of these achievements align with his three policy thrusts of Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation. So, how would someone who focuses focus on these critical national assignments be distracted by what everyone considers baseless and mischievous? No way!

This is the CGC, whose excellent leadership and mastery of Customs work prompted to champion the achieve, in the fiscal year 2023, a significant milestone by recording a total revenue collection of NGN3,206,603,417,315.47, which marked a noteworthy 21.4% increase from the preceding year’s total revenue of NGN2,641,616,673,501.83. Unfortunately, this development is nowhere to be found on your site – because all you fabricate and pay attention to is negative to cause havoc.

Still under his watch, the Service had sustained its vigorous campaign against smuggling and illicit trade, culminating in 3,806 seizures with a Duty Paid Value totalling NGN16, 049,023,262 – and these confiscations, according to the CGC himself, encompassed a diverse array of contraband, including Arms and Ammunition, Artifacts and Antiquities, illicit drugs, expired food produce, and endangered species of flora and fauna.

Recently, the same Comptroller–General of Customs you were paid to pick your pen to paint black, recently travelled to China to attend an international conference on a significant initiative called “Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)” that is aimed at supporting and boosting small scale businesses in Nigeria – yet, Sahara Reporters were not heard saying a word about this. Possibly, they were beating around the Sahara when all these happened.

In a bid to enhance regional integration and boost economic activities, CGC Adeniyi participated in a high-level delegation from the Federal Government of Nigeria that included Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, among other dignitaries from Benin Republic, engaged in discussion about reopening of the Segbana-Tsamiya border post in Kebbi State. Did you (Sahara Reporters) say anything about this?

For clarity, although I referred to myself in this write-up as a Knight always ready to extinguish your fireworks, I have decided to craft this rejoinder to expose your hidden agenda against the Comptroller-General of Customs. Otherwise, I will leave you to what people already know about you – ‘Khasara’ Reporters.

This opinion was written by Muhammad Bashir, an Abuja based public commentator and analyst. Bashir can be reached via: macbashir89@gmail.com for more information.